Talk:21st Battalion (Eastern Ontario), CEF

Comment/question on the lower photograph
May need some further clarification on the photograph labelled the "21st Regiment Carling's Heights - London, ON". This photo may be of a Company (45 men) from the 21st Regiment Essex Fusiliers as part of the 1st Battalion (Western Ontario) CEF, and not the 21st Battalion (Eastern Ontario) CEF.

Perhaps the reference to "Carling's Heights" should read "Carling Heights" in London, Ontario, which was the location of the Infantry School Corps, where men from the Western Townships of Ontario were mobilized. See: http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/community-stories_histoires-de-chez-nous/topography-of-grief_topographie-du-deuil/story/london-homefront/

Specific reference to the 21st Regiment likely relates to the Essex (County) Fusiliers given the reference to London, Ontario, location. See: http://www.ekscot.org/index/history/concise-history/

According to the 21st Battalion's War Diaries (see: https://archive.org/details/21stInfantryBattalionWarDiary1915-1919), they were billeted in Villiers Au Bois, near Bruay, France on Sept 30, 1917 (date cited below the photograph of the 21st Regiment). The Battalion had been there since August 20th after being relieved from their participation in the Battle for Hill 70 (August 15, 1917). The 21st incurred heavy casualties during this battle and were on rest, then training. It is possible that a small number of the men pictured in the photograph may have been transferred into the 21st Bn (to fill the depleted ranks) upon their arrival at Witley Camp in England during the early Fall of 1917. If this is the case, then specifics should be provided with respect to whom, when and from what unit the soldier came into the 21st Battalion.

In short, the photograph is likely of men enlisted in the 1st (Western Ontario) Battalion CEF (specifically the 21st Regiment Essex Fusiliers), rather than the 21st Battalion (unless specifics related to the 21st Bn are provided) and it should be posted to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Battalion_(Ontario_Regiment),_CEF

Respectfully,

65.92.77.121 (talk) 16:32, 31 May 2018 (UTC)